Villarreal v Barcelona: Preview and possible line-ups

TEAM NEWS

Villarreal

The 'Yellow Submarine' have a number of injury concerns, and so will make last-minute calls on Javi Fuego, Jaume Costa and Bruno Soriano. Leading scorer Karl Toko Ekambi is likely to be rested, meaning 32 year-old Carlos Bacca could start. Arsenal fans will want to look out for club legend Santi Cazorla, who is set to start in central midfield.

Barcelona

Lionel Messi, who has faced a gruelling few weeks of fixtures for club and country, may well be rested, meaning Malcom could come into the fold. Samuel Umtiti and Sergi Roberto could also return to the starting XI, while Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho should start in attack due to Ousmane Dembele's hamstring injury. Long-term absentee Rafinha will again miss out.

MANAGERS' THOUGHTS

Villarreal manager Javier Calleja on his side's game plan and poor recent record against Barcelona:

"We have to be brave, if we play with fear we will lose. We must manage the ball well and make them feel uncomfortable."

"Every year is different, every season is different and we must forget what's happened up until now and concentrate on this match. This game is vital for us [in terms of the relegation fight."

Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde on the title run-in and potential pressure on his team:

"Since we started [the season] we have come a long way, [now] we are at the culminating moment."

"It's not extra pressure, it's a pressure we have because we want to get the title, just like the teams that chase us. The numbers are what they are."

FORM GUIDE

DID YOU KNOW?

Lionel Messi is currently on 334 La Liga victories, the joint-record holder with former Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas. He will be the outright holder should his Barcelona side win this encounter.

Barcelona are unbeaten in their last 19 league games against Villarreal, winning 14 and drawing five.

Villarreal have picked up 29 points after 29 games in 2018/19. The last nine teams to have this number of points at this stage of the season were relegated.

POSSIBLE LINE-UPS

Villarreal: Asenjo; Ruiz, Gonzalez, Mario; Alfonso, Cazorla, Morlanes, Quintilla, Iborra, Chukwueze; Bacca.

Barcelona: Ter Stegen; Semedo, Pique, Umtiti, Alba; Vidal, Busquets, Rakitic; Malcom, L Suarez, Coutinho.